Center stop and outside lock off for electrical switches



I A. 'P."BALLa CENTER STOP AND OUTSIDE LOCK OFF FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCHES.

APPLICAHUNWILEVD mat is, 1913.

Y Patentbd July 5, 1921.

2\SHEETSSHEET 1.

$2M WJZZ W1 I Z A. P BALL. Y CENTER STOP AND OUTSIDE LOCK OFF FORELECTRICAL SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILE D J UNE IE), I918.

Patented July 5, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 5y Zwz A Y W UNITED STATES P TEX! FFIC'E.

ALBERT P. BALL, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN, ASSIG'NOR T6 SQUARE 1D CEBMPANY, 0F

' DETROIT, MICHIGAN", A CORLOIEi-ATION OF CENTER SE01 AND OUTSIDE LlZlCEOFF ELfEAlI'RICAL SWITCHFB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. July a, 1922.

Application filed June 13, 1918. Serial No. 2393M.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT P. BALL a citizenof the United States, residing at Royal-Dark, in the county of Oaklandand State {of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Center mstops and Outside LocleOlis for ElectricalSwitches, oi which the following is a full, clear. and concisedescription thereof.

This invention relates to center stop and outside lock ofi' mechanismadapted to c0- operate with an electrical switch particnlarly o thedouble throw type.

One of the objects'ot the invention is to design this center stop andoutsidelock oil so that it may be readily attached to the outside of thecasing of an inclosed electrical switch and cooperate with one of themoving parts of said switch.

A "further object of this invention is to so design the apparatus thatthe switch may be temporarily held in neutral position and maythereafter be readily released.

ll. further object of this invention is to rovide'a. device .on theexterior of the c'asmg whereby the switch may be locked in off position.I

A further object 'of this invention is to so design the device thatvarious sizes of locks may be employed in connection there with.

A further objectof this invention is to so design this device that it isequally effective in its operation when the switch is moved from eitherlimit of its stroke.

A further'object of this invention is to produce a device which permitsonly a rapid continuous motion from one extreme limit to the otherextreme limit of the switch.

A further object of this device is to incorporate in one structurecooperating elements which perform all of the functions noted above.

One out the many possible forms that this invention may take is shown inthe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe double, throw inclosed switch with the device applied to theexterior thereof and showing the switch locked in oil position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the center stop and outside lockoff; and

movable member 6.

Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevation of the device.

Referring to Fig; 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that the doublethrow switch is inclosed in a housing" 1 of the usual type for armorclad switches. The switch mechanisms is not shown in detail, but is ofthe double throw quick break type and may be similar to that shown in myapplication Serial Number 240,376, filed June 17. 1918.

This switch mechanism adapted to be operated by an external element 2which comprises a. horizontal portion passing through'the "casing, anupright portion and terminates in the operating handle.

The outside lock of? and center stopis indicated generally in Fig. i bythe reference numeral 8, and upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3 it will beseen that it consists of a fixed plate 4.- having a. flange 5 by meansof which it may be securely fastened to the casing 1. Upon this fixedplate is pivotally mounted a movable plate which is pivoted. at 7 and isspring-pressed outwardly by means of the spring 8. This spring 8 bearsat one end against the flange 5 and at the other end against :1 lug 9formed from the At the other end of the movable member a guiding: orretain ing lug: 10 is tormed which passes over the curved end of theplate and loosely holds the fixed and movable plates together. The fixedplate has lug 11 formed thereon against which the lug 10 adapted tocontact when at the extreme outward limit of its stroke.

It will be seen upon reference to Fig. 2 that the movable plate has twoinclined faces 15 and a. centrally arranged notch or member is movedtoward the other extreme limit of motion the operatingamember 2 willthen ride upon the inclined edges 15 force the movable member rear-Ill) - motor starting, for instance, it is desirable that the switch bethrown from one extreme limit of its stroke to the other extreme limitof its stroke with a very rapid motion. This device is adapted toprevent any but such rapid change from one position to the other. \Vhenthe operating member 2 is rapidly passed along the inclined edge 15 ineither direction, the movable plate 6 is shot rear- Wardly by this rapidmotion and the momentum acquired carries the notch 13 clear of theoperating member 2 for the brief interval of its passage by said notch13 and allows the switch to be freely thrown from one extreme limit tothe other extreme limit when moved with a very rapid motion. If by anychance the operator fails to make this rapid motion, the deviceautomatically engages the operating member in neutral po sition andstops further movement of the switch.

It will be further noted upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3 that themovable plate 6 and fixed plate 4 are provided with alining openings 12adapted to receive the bail or book portion of a padlock or otherlocking means. A second series of openings 16 are provided in the fixedplate 1 which are also adapted to receive a bail portion of a. similarlock or similar means. By having these openings of difierent sizes, asshown, any of a plurality of sizes of locks may be employed.

In Fig. 1 the device is shown operating as a lock oil with a padlock 14interlocking the plates 4 and 6, and retaining the switch in a lockedoff position.'

It will be seen from the above detailed de scription that applicant hasprovided a very simple and rugged device which accomplishes a greatnumber of objects. For example, it is adapted to operate as a centerstop to catch a double throw switch in neutral position and stop it insuch position and temporarily retain it. It is also adapted to operateas a lock off to look a switch in off position. It is further capableand designed to operate as a device for allowing none but a quick changeof position from one extreme limit to the other extreme limit in anycontinuous motion.

The above detailed description and drawings are intended to beinterpreted as illustrative of the inventive idea and not in a limitingsense, as the invention is intended to be limited only as defined by thefollowin claims claim:

1. A center stop for double throw switches comprising a fixed plate andan outwardly projected movable plate pivotally mounted on said'fixedplate and provided with means for engaging a portion of said doublethrow switch.

2. An attachment for double throw switches comprising a fixed plate, amovable plate mounted thereon rovided with a notch, and an inclined ege, and a spring for pressing said movable plate outwardly.

3. An attachment for double throw switches comprising a fixed plate, amovable plate mounted thereon provided with a central notch, andinclined edges on each side of said notch, and a spring for pressingsaid movable plate outwardly.

4. A center stop for double throw switches comprising a fixed member anda springpressed' movable. member pivoted to said fixed member andprovided with a notch and inclined edges on each side of the notch.

An outside lock off for double throw switches comprising a fixed member,a mov able member provided withmeans for engaging a portion of said}-double throw switch, and one or more of said members comprising meansfor interlocking said fixed and movable members.

6. An outside lock off for double throw switches comprising a fixedmember and a movable notched member, said members being provided withmeans whereby they may be locked together.

7. An outside lock oil for double throw switches comprising a fixedmember and a movable notched member,- said members being pivotallyrelated-and provided with means whereby they may be locked together. 8.A center stop and outside lock off for double throw switches comprisinga fixed member and a notched outwardly projected movable member, and oneor more of said members comprising means for interlocking said members.

9. A center stop and outside lock oil for double throw switchescomprising a fixed member and a notched spring pressed movable member,said members being pivotally related and provided with means whereby thempvable member may be locked to such stationary member.

10. A center stop double throw switches comprising a stationary plateand a notched movable plate pivotally carried thereby, a spring forpressing said movable plate outwardly, and one or more of said platescomprising means for interlocking said plates.

and outside lock off for ass-a flanged plate, a movable notched platepivoted tlieieoii and provided with a depend" ing log, aspring'interposed between said flange ending, and one or more of saidplates comprising means for interlocking said plates.

A center stop and outside looli oil for double throw switclies,comprising a plate and a, movable spring messed notched. plate, saidplates being provided. with aliming openings whereby sliey may be lookedtogether.

13. A. cents? stop andoiii side locli: for

double throw switches comprising a fixed plate and a movable springpsessed notched plate, said plates being; provided with aliiiingopeioings, and said plate being i'ui'tlien provided with relativelylarge? openings whereby the plates may beinterlocked by either of twosizes of? locks.

14; A center stop and outside lock of? for double throw switchescomprising a fixed flanged plate, movable pivoted there on and provided.with a depending lug, a spring interposed between flange and log, saidplates being proidde with aliiiiiig openings and said movable pie cbeing provided with a notch, said olate being further provided with ope:of tively larger size than tbs iicst maentioned openings.

comprising fixed and movable meiiibe 15. A center stop and outside lockon double throw switches commisiii flanged plate, a movable no ed latepivoted thereon and provided with depending lug, a spring interposedbetween said flange and lug, said movable and flanged plates beingprovided respectively with guiding; and stopping of said platescomoirising means for interlocking; said plates.

16. A censor stop and outside loci; o l double throw switches comprisingflanged plate, a movable pivotec. acreon and provided with a dependinglog, a spring interposed between said flange and. log, said movableplate being provided. with a central notch and inclined edges on eac r.

side of said notch, said movable and fixed plates being providedpectively with guiding and stopping lugs, d one or more of said platescomprising a l11tGilocking said plates.

17. The combination with a double t switch" of a center stop and outsidelOf said movable member being provided W o4, means for engaging saidswitch, and one GP more of said members comprising means forinterlocking said fixed and movable members.

18. The combination with a double throw lugs, and one or whereby theswiii of a center and outside lock oii.

comprising fixed and movable members, said movable member being providedwith a central notch and inclined edges, and one or more of saidmembeiscomprising means for interlocking said fixed and movable mem boss.

19. ii lock oil and center stop for double tin-ow switches comprising afixed member, and an attached movable notched member provided withinclined edges, said members having aliniiig opening 530. A. lock offand center. stop for double throw switches, comprising a fixed memberand an attached movable nol ched member, said membeis bovine alinina'openings.

21. loci... -ecti'ic swioclies, coinpi'ising a fixed mimber, a movablenotched member attached tliereio, said members being providediivitaiming openings.

22. An outside loo ioclosed swiftclies, co using a fixed inemlies, amovable lifliifili d member attached thereto, and a between saidmembers, said members having iliiiing openings adapted to i'eceivetliebail of a lock.

23. A. loci: oii 'foii elecirical switches comprising a movablein'eiiibei', a second membei' adapted to be locked said. first meniioned membez, said members arranged io ifillfiklil fi p0. tics of theelectrical switch, to thereby lock said switch against movement.

A look off for electrical switches comprising a member adapted toreceive a poo tion of said electrical switch, and saidmembei' comprisingmeans whereby said mom: bei' mail be locked in its engaged position.

25. .11 outside lock for iiicased electrical switches comprising anexternal member adapted to receive portion of said electrical switch,and said member comprising means whereby remember may be locked godjimfllilifl'il.

Ill outside locli off 'for iiiclosed electrip;- statiotoary and. moving:an 'eiiternal member portion of the moving and auxiliary means ortionmay be member.

adapted to rec past of said. switch, said locked izo said ext" 2?. iicenter for double tl row switolies havi i'iaiy and moving 1e motion, inboth diof a poetics the movable part is position;

A center stop for inoased double throw having stationary and movable 4comprising a fixed plate adapted to be. actaclied to the casing of saidswitch, a member movably connected to said fixed move in a planeintersecting the plate to inommenii of said movable switch plane of oilfor double throw" a .tcb said noa'icli, when in neiitiral n, movableiioeclied memparts of an outside lock off comprising a member fixed tosaid casing, a spring pressed member movably mounted thereon, and meanswhereby said spring pressed member may be locked in engagement with apor 'a tion of the movable part of said switch.

31. The combination with a double throw quick break incased electricalswitch of an outside lock offend center stop therefor, comprising afixed member, a movable member mounted thereon and provided with meansadapted to temporarily retain said switch in neutral position, means foractuating said movable member, and one or -more of saidmemberscomprising means whereby said movable member may be permanentlylocked said switch in neutral position.

32. The combination with a quick break double throw switch havingstationary and movable parts, of a spring pressed member provided with anotch adapted to engage a portion of the movable part of said switchwhen slowly moved and to become ineffective when said switch is quicklymoved from one extreme position'to the other, and one or more of saidmembers comprising means whereby said notched member may be locked inengaged position.

33. The combination with a double throw switch, of means for permittingonly a rapid throw of said switch from one position to the other,comprising a stationary member, a spring pressed movable notched memberslidably mounted thereon, and an oscillatory member operating with saidswitch and cooperating" with said movable notched member.

34L; The combination with an inclosed switch, of an outside lock ofi,comprisin a stationary member and a movable note ed member slidablymounted thereon, said members having alining openings.

35. The combination with an inclosed switch, of an outside lockofi', comrising a stationary member and a movab e sprin pressed notched memberslidably mounted thereon, said movable member having inclined edges 36.The combination with a double throw switch, of means permitting only arapid continuous motion from either extreme position to the other,comprising a fixed member, a movable notched member adapted to engage aportion of said switch when slowly operated, and means for actuatingsaid movable member.

3Z4 A center stop for incased double throw switches having stationaryand movable parts, comprising a fixed plate adapted to be attached tothe casing of said swltch, a member movably connected to said fixedplate to move in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of saidmovable switch parts and having means to arrest the mo tion, in bothdirections, of a portion of the movable part of said switch wheniii-neutral position, and a spring for operating said movable members.

38. A. center stop for incased doubl throw switches having stationaryand movable parts, comprising a fixed plate adapted to be attached tothe casing of said switch, a notched plate hingedly connectedto saidfixed )late to move in a plane intersecting the plane of movement I isaid movable switch parts, a spring ttached to said notched other, saidnotch being engageable with a portion of the movable part of said switchto arrest the motion, in both directions, of the movable part when inneutral position.

ALBERT-P. BALL.

plate at one end and fixed at the

